Please phone ahead if possible, so we can prepare for your pet’s arrival. 613.731.6851.

When you arrive, please check in with reception. Our staff will ask you some questions and will create a file for your pet. You will be asked to wait in the reception area with your pet, until a veterinary technician escorts you into an exam room for an assessment.

* Based on their condition, your pet may be taken straight to our treatment area for assessment or to begin supportive care. Our team will gather information from you in the reception area, and a veterinary technician and doctor will come to speak with you as soon as possible.

Please alert our staff immediately if your pet is experiencing any of the following: coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is also important for us to know if your pet is up to date on their vaccinations, as we want to ensure other patients are not at risk.

You and your pet will be escorted into an examination room where a technician can obtain a medical history and assess your pet’s temperature, heart rate and respiration rate. Our technician’s initial assessment of each patient helps us to ‘triage’ our emergency cases, to ensure that the most critical patients are seen first.

Our goal is to have all patients be seen as quickly as possible.

Following the technician’s assessment, you will be asked to wait in the reception area with your pet. The veterinarian will see you and your pet as soon as they are able. The most critical patients will be seen first, and may not be in the order they arrived.

The veterinarian will meet you in an examination room to discuss your concerns, perform a thorough physical exam on your pet, and work with you to create a plan you are comfortable with.

The veterinarian will then review the treatment options with you, including any necessary diagnostic tests as well as the associated costs. Less serious cases may be discharged at this time with medication or other instructions for follow-up.

More complex or serious cases may require admission to the hospital or Intensive Care Unit (ICU). All cases that are admitted to the hospital receive regular walks, feeding, treatments and attention from our staff 24 hours a day. If your pet requires a special diet, they will receive an equivalent food in hospital, or you may be asked to provide your own food if necessary.

What to expect if you’re pet is hospitalized:

IV Catheter and Fluids:
Many hospitalized patients will require in intravenous (IV) catheter and IV fluids. A small area on one of your pet’s front legs is shaved, and the catheter is placed. A small bandage is wrapped around the leg to ensure the catheter is stable and comfortable for your pet. A bag of fluids is attached to your pet’s catheter with small tubing which allows the fluid to flow through the catheter. The tube is also connected to a computerized monitor, which allows us to control the rate and volume of fluid and tailor it to the size and needs of your pet.

Oxygen Support:
Patients that are having difficulty breathing may be placed in our oxygen tank, a clear rectangular box which receives oxygen through the roof via a tube. Your pet can sit or lie down comfortably in the tank and breathe in the oxygen without having a tube or mask on their face. A blanket is provided to keep them comfortable, and they can have water and meals in the tank as well. Other pets may receive nasal oxygen, which means a tube will be inserted in their nasal cavity with oxygen pumped through to help them breathe more comfortably.

Please note that all patients requiring oxygen support will be admitted to the ICU.

Advanced care:
Some medical conditions may require more advanced care such as referral to a veterinary specialist, blood transfusions, ultrasound or surgery.

Diagnostics:
Many diagnostic tests your pet may need can be performed in hospital, including blood work and x-rays.

Blood work:
Blood is collected with a syringe from one of your pet’s blood vessels. Most pets tolerate this procedure quite well. Our on-site laboratory provides same-day results for most blood tests.

X-rays:
Our hospital is equipped with digital x-ray capability. Occasionally, higher-energy pets or pets that are stressed may require sedation in order to remain completely still for this procedure. The veterinarian will discuss this with you should it be required for your pet.

Monitoring:
Whether your pet is here for a few hours or is admitted into the hospital, they are monitored 24 hours a day.

Updates:
You are welcome to phone us for updates on your pet’s condition from one of our technicians. Our team can also help you to schedule a visit with your pet.

The veterinarian caring for your pet will contact you before 3pm each day to discuss your pet’s progress and review the treatment plan. Otherwise, you will be contacted by the veterinarian only if your pet’s condition changes or if they receive information that may change the treatment plan.

Going home:
When your pet is ready to go home, we will schedule a go-home appointment for you to discuss your pet’s condition, medication and recommended follow-up care. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about continuing to care for your pet at home.